Dorper Growth

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Growth Performance of Dorper and its F 1 Crossbreds at Debre-

Birhan Agricultural Research Center, EthiopiaGrowth Performance
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Conference Paper · January 2015
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Growth Performance of Dorper and its F1 Crossbreds at Debre-Birhan
1
Agricultural Research Center, Ethiopia

Ayele Abebe, Solomon Gizaw, Tesfaye Getachew, Sissay Lemma, Asfaw

Bisrat, Shenkute Goshme, Shambel Besufekad, Aschalew Abebe, Tefera
Mekonen, Tesfaye Zewdie and Yeshimebet Chanyalew
Debre Birhan Agricultural Research Center, P.O.Box 112, Debre-Birhan,
Ethiopia.
Abstract
The current work was conducted at Debre-Birhan Agricultural Research

Center to evaluate the growth performance of pure Dorper sheep and their F1
crosses from Menz and Afar indigenous sheep. A total of 527 lambs (233
pure Dorper, 294 Dorper X Menz 50% and 30 Dorper X Afar 50%) were
born at Debre-Birhan Research Center between 2011 and 2014. The overall
birth weight in the current study was 3.04+0.04 kg ranging between 1.00 and
5.60 kg. In the present study pure Dorper lambs were heavier at birth than
the F1 crosses (P<0.05) with Afar and Menz breeds with the mean birth
weight of 3.39 vs 2.57 and 2.77 kg, respectively. Pure Dorper lambs were 32
and 22% heavier than the Afar x Dorper 50% and Menz x Dorper 50%
lambs, respectively, at birth. Single born lambs were significantly
(P<0.0001) heavier at birth compared to their twin counterparts; they had
29% more weight at birth than twins. Parity had also significant effect
(P<0.0001) on the lambs birth weight. There was a trend of improvement in
birth weight as parity advances. It was noticed that lambs born from the first
parity were 16.77 % and 15.13% lighter in birth weight than lambs born
from 2nd and 3rd parities, respectively. Lambs born in main rainy season and
cold dry season had the higher birth weight compared to those born in the
dry season and short rainy season. This tells us the difference in pasture
availability in terms of quality and quantity among the different seasons of
2
the year. Weaning weight at 90 days of age had significant (P<0.001) effect
on most variables considered. Pure Dorper lambs were significantly
(P<0.0001) heavier at 90 days compared to the Dorper x Afar 50% and
Dorper x Menz 50% lambs. They were 71 and 31% heavier at this age
compared to the F1 crosses of Dorper x Afar and Dorper x Menz lamb,
respectively. Lambs born in the dry season were 33 and 31% inferior in
weaning weight compared to those born in the main and short rainy season,
respectively. Breed/ genotype, sex, birth type, year and season of birth of the
lambs had significant (<0.05) effect on the body weight of lambs at 6-
months of age. Pure Dorper and Dorper x Afar 50% and Dorper x Menz 50%
lambs weighed 24.30, 13.18 and 17.25 kg, respectively. Male lambs weighed
17.53 while females 16.33 kg at 6-months of age. More than one kg
difference was observed on average between male and female lambs; this
may be due to the effects of male hormone as age advances. Lambs born in
the main rainy and short rainy seasons demonstrated to have good 6 month
weight compared to those born in the cold dry and dry seasons. The adjusted
yearling weight for the lambs from the current study was 32.43+0.46 kg.
Comparable yearling weight (34.43 vs 31.33 kg) was obtained from Dorper x
Menz 50% lambs to pure Dorper lambs. However, Dorper x Afar 50% lambs
were 27.5 lighter (24.96 vs 34.43 kg) than the pure Dorper lambs at yearling
age. There was significantly (P<0.0001) better pre-weaning growth pattern
for the pure Dorper compared to the Dorper x Afar 50% and Dorper x Menz
50% lambs (142.93 vs 73.19 and 106.24 g/h/d, respectively), that accounted
95% and 35% more weight from pure Dorper compared to Dorper x Afar
and Dorper x Menz 50% lambs at weaning age. This may be the dam effect
since pure Dorper lambs were raised by the pure Dorper dam while the
Dorper x Afar and Menz 50% lambs were reared by indigenous ewes. From
the present study it can be concluded that both the pure Dorper and its f1
3
crosses with the Menz sheep adapted very well and had higher body weight
and better gain than indigenous sheep breeds. It is suggested to observe the
performances of different blood levels of cross breeds with Dorper sheep and
also investigate the finishing capacity of Dorper cross breeds at different age
and feeding levels.
Key words: Dorper, Menz and Afar sheep, cross breeding, year of birth,
season of birth, and birth type
Introduction
Agriculture has been the mainstay of livelihood in Amhara region for
millennia. However, agricultural production needs to be improved further to
ensure farmers food security and economic development. There are still
considerable food-insecure woredas in the region, particularly in eastern
Amhara. Crop production in food-insecure part of the region is unreliable.
Livestock production is virtually the major source of food security in eastern
subalpine highlands and lowlands, where crop production is constrained by
insufficient/unreliable rainfall, frost and degraded soil, among other factors.
Sheep are particularly vital livestock for supporting food security because of
their high reproductive capacity and low initial investment suiting them for
resource-poor farmers including landless youth and women. There is an
immense opportunity for increased livestock production in Ethiopia with
growing human population, urbanization, economic development, domestic
and export markets. However, sheep are virtually maintained as scavengers,
resulting in low productivity. Furthermore, the available land resource is
under increasing pressure from the large livestock population resulting in
negative feed balance and hence low livestock productivity as well as land
degradation. This is the result of growing human population, expanding
cropping land and shrinking grazing land.
4
Intensification of livestock production involves keeping small flocks of

highly productive animals. Use of improved exotic breeds is an option
advocated for long. However, decades of sheep crossbreeding efforts in the
country yielded insignificant impact on farmers’ livelihoods (Gizaw, 2008).
Crossbreeding has also been a controversial issue with contrasting views of
conserving the adapted indigenous livestock resources vis-à-vis the need to
speed-up economic growth and farmers’ livelihoods. Designing a
compromising conservation-based sustainable livestock production strategy
and programs is required in order to exploit the huge livestock resources for
improving farmers’ food security and overall economic development.
There has been a recent introduction into Ethiopia of the highly productive
meat breeds of Dorper sheep (Mekonen et al., 2013). Dorper is generally
recognized as one of the most popular breeds in South Afrifca (Foure et al.,
2009). Dorper are efficient meat breeds. Dorper sheep can attain 36 kg at the
age of 3–4 months (compared to 16-20 kg for local sheep) with average daily
weight gain in feedlot of 160 g (http://www.ansi.okstate.edu/breeds/sheep/dorper/).
Small nucleus flocks of Dorper sheep are found elsewhere in the country, but
there is no such flock in Amhara region. Establishment of these nucleus
flocks in the region will facilitate the sustainable utilization of the resources.
Besides, evaluation of their performance under Ethiopian conditions is vital
to have full insight about the breed before going for large scale dissemination
of the genotype in the country. The objectives of this study were to evaluate
the growth performance of pure Dorper and 50% Dorper x Local cross breed
lambs at Debre-Birhan Agricultural Research Center, and to gather
information that are useful for designing sustainable breeding and
management strategies
Methodology
5
Animal management
The effect of year of lamb birth, season of lamb birth, sex, birth type and
blood level on the growth performance of lambs for the pure Dorper and
50% Dorper x Local lambs were evaluated at Debre-Birhan agricultural
Research Center, Ethiopia.
All ewes in this experiment were sired by pure Dorper rams in a group of 20-
25 ewes per ram. The indigenous sheep breeds employed in the current study
were Menz and Afar sheep. In a mating system that lasted between 42 and
60 days, all rams and ewes were kept indoor being supplied hay prepared
from natural pasture; ad libitum (basal diet). Ewes were flushed for about 21
days before rams were joined with commercial concentrate at the rate of 200-
300 gram per head per day (g/h/d). They were also supplemented 300 g/h/d
concentrate at the 3rd trimester of the pregnancy period. At lambing, lambs
were identified with numbered plastic ear tags and birth date, weight at birth,
dam number, sire number, sex of the lamb, post partum dam weight were
also collected.
The management system in the herd was such that lambs born all year round
were raised together with their parent dams until weaning (85-95 days). After
weaning, lambs were managed as a flock separately from their dams grazed
on natural pasture with 100-150 g/h/d supplementation of commercial
concentrate; consisting of 33% noug (Guizotia abyssinica), cake 65.5%
wheat bran, 1% limestone and 0.5% salt. All ewes, rams and lambs were
treated for internal parasites with appropriate anthelminthics as per the
center’s recommended parasite control strategies.
At six months of age, male and female lambs were managed separately to
control unwanted breeding. They were allowed to drink tap water twice a
day.
Data collection and statistical analysis
6
Current study comprises data on growth and survival for pure Dorper lambs
and 50% Dorper x local lambs generated at Debre-Birhan Agricultural
research center. Live weight of all lambs were weighed for the first time at
birth and thereafter regularly at fortnightly interval and monthly thereafter
until yearling age. All determinations of weight were carried out to the
nearest 0.1 kg using a weighing scale. Data for this research consisted of 527
records for birth weight, 264 records for 90 days weight, 254 records for 180
day weight, 145 records for 360 day weight over three years period (2011 –
2014) at DBARC (Breeding, evaluation, conservation and distribution
center).
Pre and post weaning growth performances were adjusted by the following
formulae (Inyangala et al., 1992).
Where, W2, W3 and W4 = weight at a given age , W1 = birth weight, D =

number of days between weighing date and date of birth
Where, BWT = Birth weight, AWWT = Adjusted weaning weight at 90

days, A6MWT = Adjusted 6 month weight at 180 days, AYWT = Adjusted
yearling weight at 365 days
7
Statistical analysis
Data on Birth weight, weaning weight, six month and yearling weight and
gains at different ages were analyzed using GLM procedures of SAS (2002).
For all traits analyzed, effects fitted to statistical models are summarized as
under:
Model :
Yijklm = μ + bi + sj + tk + yl + Snm + pn + eijklm
Where;
Yijklmn = the body weight and average daily weight gain of the nth lamb
μ= the overall mean, bi= the fixed effect of the ith breed (i = 1, 2 , 3. 1 = Pure
Dorper, 2 = Dorper x Afar cross (50%), 3=Dorper x Menz (50%), sj = the
fixed effect of the jth sex (j = 1 or 2, 1 = male, 2 = female), tk = the fixed
effect of the kth type of birth (k = 1 or 2, 1 = single, 2 = twin)
yl = the fixed effect of the lth year of birth (L = 1, 2 or 3, 1 = born in 2011,

2 = born in 2012 etc), snm = the fixed effect of the mth season of birth (m=1-
4, 1=born in main rainy season(June-August), 2= born in the cold dry season
(September-November), 3= Dry season (December-February), 4= Short
rainy season (March – May)., Pn = the fixed effect of the nth parity (m = 1, 2,
3), eijklm = the random error attributed to the nth lamb.
Results and discussion
Growth and weight gain

Birth weight
Birth weight is an indicator of the size and vigor of the lamb at the beginning
of postnatal development and an important factor influencing later growth.
8
Larger lambs at birth, having greater capacity for growth, will have an
improved chance to be heavier at weaning.
Birth weight of pure Dorper and its F1 crosses was indicated in table (1)
below. The overall birth weight in the present study was 3.04+0.04 kg
ranging between 1.00 and 5.60 kg. In the present study pure Dorper lambs
were heavier at birth than the F1 crosses (P<0.05) with Afar and Menz breeds
with the mean birth weight (3.39 vs 2.57 and 2.77 kg, respectively). Pure
Dorper lambs were 32 and 22% heavier than the Afar x Dorper 50% and
Menz x Dorper lambs at birth. The result of birth weight as indicated in the
present study was better than 2.50 and 1.90 kg for Awassi x Menz 50%
crosses and Corriedale x Menz 50% crosses, respectively, at Sheno Research
Center (Demeke et al., 1995). Current results on birth weight for F1 Dorper
crosses with indigenous sheep was slightly lower than the reports by Gizaw
et al.(2012) for F1 (2.83kg), Awassi x Menz lambs at Debre-Birhan Research
Center. Similarly, the mean birth weight results obtained in the present study
for pure Dorper lambs (3.39 kg) was lower than the birth weight of pure
Dorper in South Africa, their native places which was reported by Neser et
al.(2001) (3.98 kg) and Snyman and Olivier (2002) (4.06 kg). Results of
birth weight obtained in the present study (3.39 kg vs 2.96 and 2.97 kg) for
50 and 75% Dorper x Local cross bred lambs, respectively, at Sirinka
Research Center was better in favor of the pure Dorper (Mekonen 2013,in
press). The differences between the minimum and maximum birth weights
both for pure Dorper and F1 crosses with indigenous sheep breeds in the
highlands of Ethiopia, Debre-Birhan was high. This shows the possibility of
having lambs with good birth weight if management interventions are
improved. Improving flock management at DBARC could increase the birth
weight of pure Dorper and Dorper crossed lambs.
9
Single born lambs were significantly (P<0.0001) heavier at birth compared

to their twin born counterparts. Single born lambs had 29% more weight at
birth than twins. Results in the present study are similar with the findings of
Abegaz and Hedge (2012) reported for Gumuz sheep. Our work also goes in
line with that reported by Christley et al. (2003). Lower body weight of twin
lambs may be due to limited uterine space and inadequate availability of
nutrients during pregnancy and competition between the twins for limited
quantity of milk available from the dam.
Parity had also significant effect (P<0.0001) on the lambs birth weight.
There was a trend of improvement in birth weight as parity advances. As in
the works reported by Gemeda et al. (2003), the birth weight of lambs is
better in the latter parities; our result is also in line with the observations of
these authors. Kassahun (2000) also reported similar results with the second
parity ewes delivering heavier lambs than first parity ewes. In the present
study, lambs born from the 1st parity were 16.77% and 15.13% inferior in
birth weight than lambs born at 2nd and 3rd
parities, respectively. The trend
was similar with the observations of Gaafar et al. (2012) who reported that
lambs born from dams in their first parity were lighter by 3.68, 6.56 and
8.31% as compared to lambs born from the 2nd, 3rd and 4th parities,
respectively.
Sex of the lamb, year of birth and season of birth of the lamb had significant
(P<0.05) effect on the birth weight of the lambs. Males were superior to
females. Lambs with good birth weight were born in the years 2011, 2012
and 2014 compared to those born in the year 2013, and this could be
attributed to variability in climatic factors in different years leading to
differences in pasture production. Lambs born in main rainy season and cold
dry season had also higher birth weight compared to those born in the dry
season and short rainy season. This also tells us the difference in pasture
10
availability in terms of quality and quantity among the different seasons of

the years.
Adjusted weaning weight
As indicated in table 2 below, weaning weight at 90 days of age had
significant (P<0.0.001) effect on most variables considered. The overall
weaning weight of pure Dorper and Dorper x Local 50% cross breed lambs
was 14.32+0.23 kg (n=370). Pure Dorper lambs were significantly
(P<0.0001) heavier at 90 days compared to the Dorper x Afar 50% and
Dorper x Menz 50% lambs. They were 71 and 31% heavier at this age
compared to the F1 crosses of Dorper x Afar and Dorper x Menz lamb,
respectively. Adjusted weaning weight at 90 days obtained for the pure and
F1 crossbred Dorper is lower than reported by Gavojdian et al.(2013) who
reported 23.8 and 21.5 kg for pure Dorper and F1 Dorper x Turcana.
Table 1. Least squares means (+ SE) for birth weight of pure Dorper and
Dorper X Local sheep at DBARC.
Source of variation N Birth weight (kg) P-value
LSM+SE Minimum Maximum
Overall mean 527 3.04+0.04 1.00 5.60 <0.0001
CV (%) 527 22.01
Breed of the lamb *** <0.0001
Pure Dorper 233 3.39+0.08a 1.46 5.60
Dorper x Afar (50%) 30 2.57+0.06b 1.50 5.60
Dorper x Menz (50%) 294 2.77+0.04b 1.00 4.60
Lambs’ Birth Year *** 0.0021
2011 30 3.03+0.12a 1.50 4.75
2012 194 2.91+0.05a 1.00 4.50
2013 176 2.68+0.05b 1.22 4.85
2014 127 3.01+0.09a 1.40 5.60
Lambs’ birth season *** 0.0028
Main rainy season 25 3.11+0.14a 2.00 4.50
Cold dry season 74 3.02+0.08ab 1.50 4.50
Dry season 275 2.86+0.05b 1.22 5.60
Short rainy season 153 2.64+0.07c 1.00 4.85
Lamb birth type *** <0.0001
Single 420 3.28+0.04 1.28 5.60
Twin 107 2.54+0.07 1.00 4.40
Lamb Sex * 0.0274
11
Source of variation N Birth weight (kg) P-value

LSM+SE Minimum Maximum
a
Male 255 2.97+0.06 1.00 5.60
Female 272 2.84+0.04b 1.25 4.92
Parity of dam *** <0.0001
1stparity 273 2.58+0.05b 1.00 4.80
2nd parity 155 3.10+0.06a 1.78 5.76
rd
3 parity 99 3.04+0.90a 1.22 4.92
Values within each sub-class with different superscript letters are significantly different at
*=P<0.05, **P<0.01, ***=P<0001, NA= Data not Available
Year and season of birth have also significant (P<0.0001) effect on the
weaning weight of the pure Dorper and 50% Dorper crossbred lambs. Lambs
born in the dry season were lower by 33 and 31% in weaning weight
compared to those born in the main and short rainy seasons. Planning mating
in the main and short rainy seasons had a great significant contribution in
achieving better weaning weights. In the current study, sex of the lambs and
parity of birth of lambs have no significant (P>0.05) effect on the weaning
weight of lambs.
Adjusted 6-month weight
The overall adjusted 6-month weight of lambs in the present study was
21.42+0.35 kg (n=254). Breed/genotype, sex, birth type, year and season of
birth of the lambs had significant (P<0.05) effect on the body weight of
lambs at 6- months of age. Pure Dorper and Dorper x Afar 50% and Dorper x
Menz 50% lambs weighed 24.30, 13.18 and 17.25 kg, respectively. Male
lambs weighed 17.53 while females 16.33 kg at 6-months of age. More than
1 kg difference was observed on average between male and female lambs;
this may be the effects of male hormone as age advances. There was 52%
more advantage in 6-month body weight from single born lambs. Lambs
born from the 3rd parity were significantly (P<0.05) heavier at 6- months of
age compared to lambs born in from the 1st and 2nd parities. Lambs born in
the main rainy and short rainy seasons demonstrated to have good 6 month
12
weight compared to those born in the cold dry and dry seasons. It can be
suggested that lambing in the highlands could be planed to be in the main
and short rainy seasons to obtain good 6 month weight form lambs.
Adjusted yearling weight
The adjusted yearling weight of lambs in the current study was 32.43+0.46
kg (n=206). Results obtained in the current study for 50% Dorper x Menz
sheep was superior to the 50 and 75% Dorper x Local sheep reported by
Mekonen et al. (2013) at Sirinka Research Center (31.33 kg vs 26.95 and
29.13 kg, respectively). As lambs reached yearling age, slight difference
(P<0.05) in weight at yearling (34.43 vs 31.33 kg) for pure Dorper and
Dorper x Menz 50%, respectively, was attained. But much difference was
observed at yearling age between pure Dorper and Dorper x Afar lambs
compared to Dorper x Menz 50%.lambs. The pattern of growth from pure
Dorper at pre-weaning and post-weaning didn’t continue up to yearling age.
Growth was advanced by 42% and 82% from 6-month to yearling age by
pure Dorper and Dorper x Menz 50% lambs, respectively, indicating the
growth and adaptability of crossbreds under Debre-birhan condition. In this
study male lambs were heavier (P<0.05) than female gaining 14% more
weight at yearling, the larger weight gain of males in comparison to female
lambs could be due to the hormonal differences in their endocrinological and
physiological functions (Ebangi et al., 1996 as sited in Gaafar, Youssf and
El-Din, 2012). Singles were also heavier (P<0.001) than twins at yearling
demonstrating a weight advantage of 23% over females. Lambs born in the
main rainy season followed by those born in the short rainy season and cold
dry seasons had the better (P<0.05) yearling weight compared to lambs born
in the dry season. Lambs bon in the dry season were 18% lighter than born in
main rainy season. In the highlands of Ethiopia (DBARC) planning to get
birth of pure Dorper and F1 crosses of Dorper with Afar and Menz ewes in
13
the main season help get better growing lambs demonstrating better yearning
weight.
Table 2. Least squares means and standard errors of Weaning, 6 month and
yearling weight of pure Dorper and 50% Dorper X Local (kg).
Source of Weaning weight Six month weight Yearling weight
Variation
N LSM+SE N LSM+SE N LSM+SE
*** *** ***
Over all mean 370 14.32+0.23 254 21.42+0.35 206 32.43+0.46
Breed *** ** *
Pure Dorper 168 16.18+0.35a 86 24.30+0.59a 79 34.43+0.79a
Dorper X Afar 50% 9 9.45+0.87c 8 13.18+0.97c 3 24.96+3.77b
b b
Dorper X Menz 50% 193 12.34+0.25 168 17.25+0.30 124 31.33+0.56a
Sex ns * ***
Male 185 12.87+0.34 125 17.53+0.53a 100 30.85+0.71a
Female 185 12.64+0.31 129 16.33+0.46b 106 27.13+0.57b
Birth litter size *** *** ***
Single 306 14.43+0.30b 225 20.23+0.37a 181 32.01+0.49a
Twin 64 11.08+0.64a 29 13.34+0.91b 25 25.98+1.03b
Parity ns * *
1st parity 192 12.32+0.37 164 16.21+0.48b 144 27.35+0.58b
2nd parity 114 12.73+0.43 61 16.76+0.58b 33 28.32+1.02b
rd a
3 parity 64 13.22+0.33 29 17.82+0.62 29 31.31+0.86a
Lamb Year of Birth *** *** *
2011 16 12.46+0.81a 15 14.85+0.92c 14 27.06+2.46b
2012 164 13.15+0.34a 159 17.51+0.40b 136 28.26+0.51b
b a
2013 114 12.07+0.43 80 18.44+0.64 56 31.66+0.90a
a
2014 76 13.34+0.44 NA NA
Lamb Season of Birth *** *** *
Main rainy season 19 14.70+0.71a 18 18.35+1.05a 18 34.46+0.97a
Cold dry season 57 12.34+0.36b 47 14.61+0.48b 45 31.54+0.91ab
c b
Dry season 171 9.78+0.29 72 15.61+0.40 37 28.39+1.33b
a a
Short rainy season 123 14.19+0.42 117 19.16+0.57 106 32.13+0.62a
Pre-weaning growth of lambs

The overall pre-weaning weight gain of lambs was 123.89+2.46 g/h/d. There
was significantly (P<0.0001) better growth pattern for the pure Dorper
compared to the Dorper x Afar 50% and Dorper x Menz lambs (142.93 vs
73.19 and 106.24 g/h/d), respectively, that accounted 95% and 35% more
weight from pure Dorper compared to Dorper x Afar and Dorper x Menz
50% lambs at this age. This may be the dam effect, pure Dorper lambs were
14
reared by the pure Dorper dam while the Dorper x Afar and Menz 50%
lambs were reared by indigenous ewes. Similarly, birth type, year of birth
and parity of lambs’ birth had significant (P<0.0001) effect on the pre-
weaning gain of lambs. Nevertheless, male and female lambs in the present
study grew similarly up to weaning age. Birth year and season of lambs’
birth had significant (p<0.05) effect on gain to 90 days. Lambs born in the
dry season were 40 and 39 % lighter than lambs born in the main rainy and
short rainy seasons.
Post-weaning growth of lambs
As indicated in table (3) below, post weaning growth of lambs was affected
by lambs’ genotype, sex of the lamb, birth type of the lamb, lambs year and
seasons of birth. However, no significant difference in gain birth up to 6
months of age by parity (P>0.05). Lambs gained 102.05 and 80.73 g/h/d up
to 6-month and up to yearling age, respectively. Pure Dorper lambs gained
better (P<0.0001) than Dorper x Afar 50% and Dorper x Menz 50% up to 6-
months and 12 months of age, respectively. However, the difference in
weight gain up to yearling between the pure Dorper lambs and Dorper x
Menz 50% in the present study was slight; this may be the need for better
management in terms of feed for the pure Dorper compared to the Dorper x
local 50% as age advances. Ram lambs grew faster than females up to 6
month and yearling age (81.44 vs 74.76 g/h/d) and (76.72 vs 66.76 gm). The
pattern for birth type is also similar to the sex. Single born lambs gained 53
and 21% more weight at 6 month and yearling, respectively, compared to the
twin born lambs. Year and season of birth of the lambs had slight effect on
gain of lambs up 6 month and to yearling age.
15
Table3: Least squares means and standard errors of gain to 90, 180 and 365
days of pure Dorper and its crosses with local sheep (g/d).
Source of Variation Gain to 90 days Gain to 180 days Gain to 365 days

*** *** ***
Over all mean 370 123.89+2.46 254 102.05+1.89 205 80.73+1.24
Breed of Lamb *** *** *
Pure Dorper 168 142.93+3.89a 86 100.00+3.23a 79 81.23+2.18a
Dorper X Afar 50% 9 73.19+10.89c 8 56.07+5.98c 3 57.80+11.75c
Dorper X Menz 50% 193 106.24+2.61b 160 78.04+1.61b 123 76.19+1.41b
Sex ns * ***
Male 185 108.28+3.66 125 81.44+2.82a 100 76.72+1.96a
Female 185 106.62+3.30 129 74.76+2.51b 105 66.76+1.48b
Birth litter size *** *** ***
Single 306 121.68+2.78a 225 94.38+1.99a 180 78.46+1.34a
Twin 64 93.23+4.43b 29 61.82+4.71b 25 65.02+2.58b
Parity ns Ns *
1st Parity 192 104.813+3.79 164 75.79+2.57 143 67.45+1.59b
2nd Parity 114 106.28+3.75 61 77.94+3.15 33 69.87+2.71b
3rd parity 64 111.28+3.87 29 80.56+3.42 29 77.89+2.27a
Lamb Year of Birth * * *
2011 16 103.17+8.12bb 15 65.40+4.74b 14 66.88+7.95b
2012 164 115.23+3.89a 159 81.73+2.28a 135 70.47+1.34b
2013 114 103.03+5.08b 80 87.16+3.62a 56 77.86+2.33a
2014 76 108.38+4.56a
Lamb Season of Birth *** *
Main rainy season 19 127.38+7.81a 18 87.44+6.53a 18 78.21+2.59a
Cold dry season 57 101.19+3.78b 47 64.66+2.49b 45 70.27+2.42b
Dry season 171 76.13+2.82c 72 69.66+2.18b 36 65.42+4.06b
Short rainy season 123 125.21+4.32a 117 90.64+2.91a 106 73.05+1.58b
Values within each sub-class are significantly different at *=P<0.05, **P<0.01, ***=P<0001
Early finishing ability of 50% Dorper x Local lambs

Supplementation of commercial concentrate had significantly (P<0.05)
improved final weight and average daily weight gain of ram lambs at the end
of the 90th day feeding. Ram lambs supplemented 600 g/h/d had significantly
higher (P<0.05) final body weight and average daily gain at 90 days than 400
g/d/h supplemented group. However there was no significant (P>0.05)
difference between 500 and 600 g/d/h concentrate supplementation levels. It
is also noticed that the 500 and 600 g/h/d supplemented group had similar
16
(P>0.05) final body weight at 90 days of supplementation. In the present

study ram lambs kept only on grazing pasture grew lighter than the 400, 500
and 600 g/h/d supplementation level at the rate of 41.5, 53.8 and 58.8%,
respectively. During the 90 days feeding period, ram lambs in supplemented
group gained live weight in the range of 117 g to 156 g/d. Supplemented
animals from 500 and 600 g had significantly (P<0.05) superior gain than
level of 400 g. However, ram lambs dwelling only on grazing had gained
significantly lower (P<0.05) at the rate of 32 g/h/d. In a study made at Sheno
Research Center (DBARC, 2006) it was noticed that ram lambs of Awassi x
Menz 50% at the age of 6-month supplemented 400 g/d/h commercial
concentrate gained 112 g. Results so far obtained for F1 crosses of Dorper x
Local is in agreement with the previous reports from the Sheno Center.
Works done by Tesfaye et al. (2013) on Awassi x Menz 50% cross bred ram
lambs at the age of 15 months revealed that they gained 130.21 and 144.10
g/h/d for commercial supplementation group of 400 and 600 g/h/d. Our result
from the current study was lower for 400 groups but better than reported for
Awassi x Menz 50% at feeding level of 600 g/h/d supplementation (156.35
vs. 144.10 g/h/d).
Table 4: Fattening performances of Dorper X Local 50% ram lambs to concentrate
supplementation under grazing condition for 90 days (starting age of lambs for
early finishing was between 4.4 and 6.4 months)
Treatments* No Initial Final Weight Average daily
Weight (kg) (Kg) gain (g/day)
T1=Grazing (G) 7 17.71+1.20 21.64+1.10a 32.94+6.34a
T2=G + 400 g/h/d concentrate 7 17.57+1.57 30.61+1.96b 117.06+5.83b
T3=G + 500 g/h/d concentrate 7 17.71+1.22 33.29+1.68bc 143.25+9.13c
T4=G + 600 g/h/d concentrate 7 17.79+1.64 34.36+1.89c 156.35+3.62c

Over all 28 17.70+0.67 29.97+1.24 112.40+9.74
17
Fig 1. Growth pattern for early finished Dorper x Menz ram lams
Preliminary information on growth performance of lambs born at on farm
The growth performers of 25% Dorper x Afar lambs at Shewa Robit was
indicated in table 5. The overall birth weight, 3 and 6-month weight of lambs
was 2.98, 14.19 and 19.73 kg, respectively. From the few observations made
currently it seems that lambs born at Zuti had higher weights at birth, 3 and
6-months. This may be attributed to the feed availability differences in
different places. Crossbred ram lambs also demonstrated superiority over
their female counterparts at birth, 3 and 6-months of age (Table 5). The
above information is not exhaustive and needs to be supported with larger
data sets.
18
Table 5. Least squares means and standard errors of Weaning, 6 month and
yearling weight of pure Dorper and 50% Dorper X Local (kg).
Source of Birth weight ADJ 3- month weight ADJ 6-month weight

Variation
*** Ns *
Over all mean 78 2.98+0.07 78 14.19+0.32 41 19.73+0.56
CV % 16.95 20.14 16.73
Kebele *** Ns ns
Abayatir 8 2.30+0.07b 8 13.99+0.71 6 21.95+1.43
Charie 19 2.48+0.16b 19 13.9+0.89 10 21.14+1.39
Jimdire 17 3.36+0.11a 17 13.84+0.50 0 -
Zuti 34 3.20+0.07 a 34 14.27+0.46 25 18.91+0.67
Lamb Sex ns Ns *
Male 46 2.84+0.09 46 14.52+0.43 27 21.89+0.65a
Female 32 2.83+0.12 32 13.52+0.45 14 19.44+0.99b
Lamb Year of Birth ns Ns *
2013 36 2.75+0.09a 36 13.75+0.56a 29 19.33+0.56b
2014 42 2.92+0.10a 42 14.30+0.36a 12 22.00+0.36b
*=P<0.05, **P<0.01, ***=P<0001, ADJ: Adjusted
Preliminary information on age and selling prices for 25% Dorper x Local
lambs at on-farm
From few data sets obtained at on-farm (Shewa Robit; Medina and Yelen
areas) it was noticed that males were sold a little bit older than females but at
higher prices (11.5 months vs 10.9 months) sold at 1515 vs 1150 ETB for
male and female, respectively (Table 6).
The 25% Dorper x Afar cross bred lambs born at Yelen was sold at early age
and also fetched more compared to those born at Medina keble of Shewa
Robit area (Table 6).
19
Table 6. Least squares means and standard errors of Age (months) at selling
and selling prices (ETB) for the 25 % Dorper X Afar lambs at Shewa Robit.
Source of Variation Age in months Selling price in Birr

N LSM+SE N LSM+SE
Over all mean 12 11.20+0.53 12 1454.17+103.60
Sex ns Ns
Male 10 11.50+0.62 10 1515.00+113.05
Female 2 10.91+0.23 2 1150.00+150.00
Kebele * *
Medina 5 12.39+0.65 a 5 1150.00+74.16b
Yelen 7 10.01+0.59 b 7 1671.40+110.66 a

Values within each sub-class with different superscript letters are significantly
different at *=P<0.05, **P<0.01, ***=P<0001,
Conclusion
From the current results obtained at Debre-Birhan Research Center, the
straight bred pure Dorper and its F1 crossbreds had comparable yearling
weight. Menz ewes sired by Dorper rams produced lambs that could attain
more than 30 kg fulfilling the minimum requirement for export to the Middle
East (25-30 kg) at yearling age. Pure Dorper lambs gained better than the F1
up to weaning and 6-months of age under grazing with minimum concentrate
supplementation. However, the crossbreds of Dorper x Menz ewes gained
slightly lower from birth to yearling age suggesting the need for better
management for the pure Dorper lambs compared to the Dorper x Menz
crosses. From the current study, use of Afar ewes at Debre-Birhan for cross
breeding with Dorper sire had the lowest performance in the all growth traits
suggesting the choice of dam line that are adapted to the highlands of
Ethiopia. By crossbreeding Menz sheep with the Dorper, it could be possible
for sheep producers in the highlands of Ethiopia to increase meat production.
Results from current study suggested the good adaptation ability of pure
Dorper and its F1 crossbreds of Dorper x Menz 50% to the highland
20
conditions of Ethiopia. The early finishing ability demonstrated from the

Dorper x Menz 50% crossbred lambs was promising. The birth, 3 and 6-
months weight of lambs and selling age and prices from 25% Dorper x Afar
lambs was also good but needs to be seen under acceptable number of
observations. Further research is needed to determine the potential of the
pure Dorper and its crosses under different management and feeding
conditions at different ages of the crossbreds under highland and low land
conditions.
References
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related to the risk of neonatal mortality, birth-weight and serum
immunoglobulin concentration in lambs in the UK. Preventive
Veterinary Medicine. 57, 209–226.
Demeke S., Thwaites, S.C.J. Lemma, S., 1995. Effects of ewe genotype and
supplementary feeding on lambing performance of Ethiopian highland
sheep. Small Rumin. Res. 15, 149-153.
Fourie, P.J., Vos, P.J.A. & Abiola, S.S., 2009. The influence of
supplementary light on Dorper lambs fed intensively. S. Afr. J. Anim.
Sci. 39, 211-214.
Gaafar, H. M. A., Youssf, Hafsa F. H. and El-Din, M. T. S., 2012.
Environmental factors affecting growth performance of growing lambs in
Egypt. Archiva Zootechnica 15:1, 15-29.
Gavojdan, D., Cziszter, L.T., Pacala, N., Sauer, M. 3013. Productive and
reproductive performance of Dorper and its crossbreds under a Romanian
semi-intensive management system. South African Journal of Animal
Science 2013, 43 (No. 2)
Gemeda Duguma, Schoeman, S.T., Clocte, S.W.P. and Jordan, G.F 2003.
The effect of non-genetic factors on pre-weaning surval rate in the
Tygerhoek Marine lambs. Eth. J. Anim. Prod. 2(1): 141-148.
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Gizaw S., Lemma S., Getachew G., and Abebe A. 2012. Development of a
synthetic Awassi-Menz sheep breed. Proceedings of livestock research.
http://www.ansi.okstate.edu/breeds/sheep/dorper/http://www.ansi.okstate.edu
/breeds/sheep/dorper/ accessed on 25-Apr-14 (Department of Animal
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Farm animal Genetic Resources: Country Report. A Contribution to the
First Report on the State of the World’s Animal Genetic Resources. IBC,
May 2004. Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
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and Menz sheep of Ethiopia under grazing and intensive feeding
conditions. Ph.D Dissertation. Humboldt University, Berlin. 173 p.
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Dorper x Indigenous sheep in Eastern Amhara (in press).
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Ruminant Research vol. 40, No. 3.
Snyman, M. A. and W. J. Olivier. 2002. Productive performance of hair and
wool type Dorper sheep under extensive conditions. Small Ruminant
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Growth Performance of Dorper and its F 1 Crossbreds at Debre-

Conference Paper · January 2015

Ayele Abebe Solomon Gizaw

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Tesfaye Getachew Seblewngel Lemma

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Wool fiber in Ethiopia View project

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Growth Performance of Dorper and its F1 Crossbreds at Debre-Birhan

Ayele Abebe, Solomon Gizaw, Tesfaye Getachew, Sissay Lemma, Asfaw

The current work was conducted at Debre-Birhan Agricultural Research

Intensification of livestock production involves keeping small flocks of

Where, W2, W3 and W4 = weight at a given age , W1 = birth weight, D =

Where, BWT = Birth weight, AWWT = Adjusted weaning weight at 90

yl = the fixed effect of the lth year of birth (L = 1, 2 or 3, 1 = born in 2011,

Results and discussion

Growth and weight gain

Single born lambs were significantly (P<0.0001) heavier at birth compared

availability in terms of quality and quantity among the different seasons of

Source of variation N Birth weight (kg) P-value

Pre-weaning growth of lambs

N LSM+SE N LSM+SE N LSM+SE

Early finishing ability of 50% Dorper x Local lambs

(P>0.05) final body weight at 90 days of supplementation. In the present

T3=G + 500 g/h/d concentrate 7 17.71+1.22 33.29+1.68bc 143.25+9.13c

T4=G + 600 g/h/d concentrate 7 17.79+1.64 34.36+1.89c 156.35+3.62c

Preliminary information on growth performance of lambs born at on farm

Source of Birth weight ADJ 3- month weight ADJ 6-month weight

Source of Variation Age in months Selling price in Birr

Male 10 11.50+0.62 10 1515.00+113.05

Female 2 10.91+0.23 2 1150.00+150.00

Yelen 7 10.01+0.59 b 7 1671.40+110.66 a

conditions of Ethiopia. The early finishing ability demonstrated from the

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